7. Boston L 4
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BOSTON FIRE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
Ladder Co. 4
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The firehouse of Ladder 4 at 198 Dudley St., Roxbury, circa 1905.
January 6, 1868 – The Town of Roxbury was annexed to the City of Boston. Washington Hook & Ladder Co. 1 of the Roxbury Fire Department became Hook & Ladder 4 of the Boston Fire Department. The company was placed in service with an 1845 Hunneman ladder truck in a firehouse at
20 Eustis Street , next to the cemetery.
1869 – Ladder 4 was named ‘Washington’ Hook & Ladder Co. 4.
April 13, 1872 – Company placed in service a new 1872 Hunneman horse-drawn ladder truck.
November 9/10, 1872 – The Great Boston Fire of 1872 occurred. Foreman William Farry and Assistant Foreman Daniel Cochrane, Ladder Company 4, died in the Line-Of-Duty in the Great Boston Fire of 1872.
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1873 – Company names discontinued, reverted back to numbered company only (Ladder 4 – as it remains today).
May, 1874 – Company moved into a new firehouse at
407 Dudley Street , Roxbury.
June 16, 1875 – Ladderman John H. Kelley, Ladder Company 4, died in the Line-Of-Duty, Box 213, at a fire in a fireworks factory on Kemble Street, Roxbury.
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December 27, 1878 – Company moved back to
20 Eustis Street.
October 30, 1880 – Company moved to the firehouse at
198 Dudley Street , Roxbury.
1882 – Foreman Edwin H. Sawyer, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit.
1883 – Foreman Edwin H. Sawyer, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit.
May 31, 1889 – Company changed from Call-status to Permanent-status.
March, 1893 – Company received an 1884 LaFrance 85ft aerial extension ladder truck, ex-Ladder 14.
August 16, 1893 – Ladderman James M. Powers, Ladder Company 4, died in the Line-Of-Duty, as a result of injuries received while responding to Box 87, Shawmut Avenue & Lenox Street, Roxbury.
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1899 – Company received an 1890 Abbot-Downing horse-drawn ladder truck, ex-Ladder 1.
September 28, 1914 – The horse-drawn ladder truck was replaced by a 1914 American LaFrance, Type 18, 85ft motor aerial ladder truck, Serial # 571-C132,
Shop # 205. This was the first motor ladder truck in regular service in Boston.
January 17, 1916 – Company moved temporarily from
198 Dudley Street to the quarters of Chemical Engine 10 at
20 Eustis Street.
October 2, 1916 – Company moved back to
198 Dudley Street , after renovations for motor fire apparatus had been compeleted.
1924 – Ladderman Thomas F. Kilduff, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for the Most Meritorious Act of 1924 for his actions at 1-5 Hyde Park Avenue, Roslindale, Box 2514, on April 12, 1924.
Citation for Ladderman Thomas F. Kilduff
January 8, 1925 – The 1914 American LaFrance 85ft aerial ladder truck,
Shop # 205 , was equipped with a 1924 American LaFrance, Type 17, motor tractor, Serial # 4850,
Shop # 205T.
November 6, 1930 – Company received a 1930 American LaFrance 85ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # C-550, (No Shop #), attached to a 1926 American LaFrance tractor, Serial # 5517,
Shop # 223T.
June 1, 1945 – Company received a 1945 American LaFrance, B600 Series tractor, Serial # L2114,
Shop # 201T , attached to the 1930 American LaFrance 85ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # C-550, (No Shop #).
December, 1949 – Company received a new 1949 Mack, Type 19, tractor, Serial # 19LS-1083,
Shop # 201T , attached to a 1930 American LaFrance aerial ladder truck.
1951 – Ladderman William J. Flemming, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at 48 Munroe Street, Roxbury, Box 2163, on April 22, 1951.
Citation
1954 – Ladderman Joseph F. Hoar, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Patrick J. Kennedy Medal of Honor for his actions at 3 Gay Street, Roxbury, Box 2235, on December 27, 1954.
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Citation for Ladderman John F. Hoar.
1956 – Company received a 1949 Mack, Type 19, tractor, Serial # 19LS-1081,
Shop # 263T , attached to a 1932 American LaFrance 85ft aerial ladder truck,
Shop # 263.
1956 – Fire Fighter John J. Devine, Fire Fighter George W. Girvan and Fire Fighter George J. Lohnes, Ladder Company 4, were awarded the Roll Of Merit for their actions at 5 Bower Park, Roxbury, Box 2161, on January 27, 1956.
Citation
1959 – Fire Lieutenant Paul J. O’Brien, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Patrick J. Kennedy Medal of Honor for his actions at 2476 Washington Street, Roxbury, Box 2251, on February 21, 1959.
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Citation for Fire Lieutenant Paul J. O’Brien.
July 27, 1962 – Company received a new 1962 Seagrave 85ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # N310,
Shop # 212.
December 7, 1962 – Fire Fighter James H. Sexton, Ladder Company 4, died in the Line-Of-Duty, as a result of injuries received while responding to Box 7276, South Bay Avenue & Burnham Street, Roxbury. See the notice in the
Boston Firefighters Digest.
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1962 – Fire Fighter John J. Gaddis, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for the Most Meritorious Act of 1962 for his actions at 20 Magnolia, Dorchester, Box 1735, on December 27, 1962.
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Citation for Fire Fighter John J. Gaddis.
1963 – Fire Fighter Joseph F. Hoar, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at 225 Dudley Street, Roxbury, Box 2132, on February 7, 1963.
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Citation for Fire Fighter John F. Hoar.
1963 – Fire Fighter Philip E. Spruill, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit for his actions at 43 Bower Street, Roxbury, Box 2161, on January 17,1963.
Citation
1963 – Fire Fighter Vincent P. Hurley, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit for his actions at 43 Bower Street, Roxbury, Box 2132, on February 7 ,1963.
Citation
October 1, 1964 – Fire Fighter James B. Sheedy, Ladder Company 4, died in the Line-Of-Duty, while operating at the Trumbull Street Fire, 5 alarms, Box 1671, Shawmut Avenue & West Brookline Street, South End. See the notice in the
Boston Firefighters Digest.
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July 21, 1965 – Company moved to a temporary location with Engine 12 at
407 Dudley Street , Roxbury.
August 2, 1965 – Company moved back to quarters at
198 Dudley Street , Roxbury.
1965 – Fire Fighter Arthur L. Glover, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at Box 2233, Ruggles & Warwick Streets, Roxbury, on March 27, 1965.
Citation for Fire Fighter Arthur L. Glover.
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1967 – Fire Fighter John J. Gaddis, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at Box 2141, Warren Street & Rockville Park, Roxbury, on June 3, 1967.
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Citation for Fire Fighter John J. Gaddis.
1967 – Fire Fighter William E. Pero and Fire Fighter Walter G. Austin, Ladder Company 4, were awarded the Roll Of Merit for their actions at Box 2141, Warren Street & Rockville Park, Roxbury, on June 3, 1967.
Citation
May 21, 1968 – Company received a new 1968 American LaFrance 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # 12-1-933,
Shop # 234.
1968 – Fire Fighter Joseph F. Hoar, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Patrick J. Kennedy Medal of Honor for his actions at 890 Albany Street, Roxbury, Box 2115, on January 20, 1968
.
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Citation for Fire Fighter John F. Hoar.
1968 – Fire Fighter Kevin J. Mochen, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit for his actions at 36 Webber Street, Roxbury, on July 5, 1968.
Citation
November 20, 1970 – Company receiSved a new 1970 American LaFrance 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # 12-1-1948,
Shop # 206.
1971 – Fire Lieutenant Paul J. O’Brien and Fire Fighter Robert M. Corrigan, Ladder Company 4, were awarded the Roll Of Merit.
Citation
July 17, 1973 – Company received a new 1973 Maxim 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # 3129,
Shop # 224.
December 23, 1974 – Company moved to a new firehouse at
174 Dudley Street , Roxbury. The firehouse at
198 Dudley Street was closed.
December 3, 1976 – Company received a new 1976 Seagrave 100ft aerial ladder truck, Serial # F76072,
Shop # 298.
1977 – Fire Fighter Robert Brady, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.
Citation
1979 – Fire Fighter Robert M. Staunton, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit.
Citation
1983 – Fire Fighter Robert M. Staunton, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for the Most Meritorious Act of 1983 for his actions at 33-35 Whiting Street, Roxbury, Box 2143, on January 17, 1983.
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Citation for Fire Fighter Robert M. Staunton.
1984 – Fire Fighter Kevin E. Ranahan, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit for his actions at 27 Highland Avenue, Roxbury, on January 10, 1984.
Citation
1985 – Fire Fighter John R. Greene, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for the Most Meritorious Act of 1985 for his actions at 44 John Eliot Square, Roxbury, Box 2246, on December 28, 1985.
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Citation for Fire Fighter John R. Greene.
1985 – Fire Fighter Francis J. Mahoney, Jr., Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at 425 Shawmut Avenue, South End, Box 1671, on October 28, 1985.
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Citation for Fire Fighter Francis J. Mahoney, Jr.
August 12, 1986 – Company received a new 1986 Emergency One 110ft rearmount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 4761,
Shop # 207.
1993 – Fire Fighter Torin M. Little, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Walter Scott Medal for Valor for his actions at 1165 Dorchester Avenue, Dorchester, Box 1864, on May 30, 1993.
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Citation for Fire Fighter Torin M. Little.
July 12, 1995 – Company received a new 1995 Emergency One 110ft rearmount aerial ladder truck, Serial # 14906,
Shop # 229.
1995 – Fire Lieutenant John L. Collins, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the John E. Fitzgerald Medal for the Most Meritorious Act of 1995 for his actions at 16 Rockland Street, Roxbury, Box 2152, on January 4, 1995.
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Citation for Fire Lieutenant John L. Collins.
2003 – Fire Fighter Brian M. Sellon, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Roll Of Merit.
Citation
2008 – Fire Fighter James J. Kenney, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.
October 20, 2010 – Company received a new 2010 Emergency One, Cyclone II, 110ft rearmount aerial ladder truck, with a low-profile cab, Serial # 136022,
Shop # 251.
2011 – Fire Captain Sean B. Linnell, Fire Fighter Brian M. Mullen and Fire Fighter Kevin P. Ranahan, Ladder Company 4, were awarded the Roll Of Merit for their actions at 39 Calumet Street, Roxbury, Box 236, on October 30, 2011.
Citation
2015 – Fire Fighter Edward T. O’Donnell, Ladder Company 4, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.
Citation
2015 – Acting Fire Lieutenant Kevin P. Ranahan, Ladder Company 4, detailed to Engine Company 7, was awarded the Commissioner’s Unit Citation for actions on Boston Common, near Park Street, on December 7, 2015.
Citation
October 30, 2019 – Company received a new 2019 Emergency One ‘Metro’ 100ft rearmount aerial ladder truck, Shop # 277.
January 6, 1868 – The Town of Roxbury was annexed to the City of Boston. Washington Hook & Ladder Co. 1 of the Roxbury Fire Department became Hook & Ladder 4 of the Boston Fire Depart…
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